Music-roll package.



P. S. McLEAN-.

MUSIC ROLL PACKAGE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 21. 1912.

1,277,098. PateriteiAug. 27, 1918.

a 6 5 f I z PHILIP s. MoLEAIN, or IBLOOMFIELD, NEW JERSEY.

MUSIC-ROLL PACKAGE.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Aug, 27, 1918,

Application filed. November 27, 1917. Serial No. 204,201.

To all cohom it may concern:

Be 1t known that I, PHILIP S. MCLEAN,

a citizen of the United States of America,

residing at Bloomfield, New Jersey, have invented a new and useful Music-Roll Pack- :tige, of which the following is a specifica- My present invention relates to music rolls for player pianos and the like.

At the present time, these rolls are kept in boxes marked to designate the name or character of the record, the usual practice being to select the rolls by means of these designations on the box, the rolls being removed from the boxes for playing and then returned to the boxes after playing. It not infrequently happens that the rolls are returned to the wrong boxes with the result that the designations on the boxes no longer apply.

One ob ect of my invention is to prevent this mixing of the records.

Another object is to eliminate the need for separate handling of the records and the boxes therefor.

Other objects areto provide proper protection for the record strip and to furnish the record as a neat unitary package, attractive in appearance and in compact, convenient form for handling and storing.

Briefly stated, the invention resides in the combination with a music roll, of a box incasing the same andprovided with openings in the ends thereof exposing the ends or hubs of the spool. Preferably, the box is journaled directly on and is supported by the spool and is provided with a slot or opening in one side thereof for the record strip to issue therefrom. A cover may beprovided for this slot and this cover, or other means, may be utilized for holding the box against turning While the spool rotates within the same. Also means maybe provided for limiting spool within its casing.

Other features and details of the invention will appear as the specification proceeds. .i

The accompanying drawing illustrates the invention embodied in the several practical forms, but it will be understood that changes and modifications may be made without departure from the true spiritand scope of the invention.

In this drawing: Figure l is a ont view of one form of the recording of the V the invention as it appears engaged with the record feeding mechanism of an automatic'player, end portions of the box being broken away to better disclose the construction,

Fig. :2 is a vertical sectional view of the same taken substantially on the plane of the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view of the roll package removed from the player mecha nism. g V

Fig. 4: is a vertical sectional view illustrating a modified form of box construction.

Fig. 5 is a broken fragmentary view of the same.

.lThe roll illustrated, is generally similar to those now commonly used with player pianos,- consisting as it does of a spool made up of a central spindleor drum 7 and end heads 8, and a suitably perforated record strip 9 wound thereon between said spool heads.

Thisroll is housed within a box 10, open or perforated at its ends to expose the ends of the spool. In the illustration the spool is directly journaled in the ends of the. box so that the box and spool can be handled as a single unit, and so that the spool can rotate freely within the box while the record is being played or being rewound. The

spool is accordingly shown provided with.

smooth cylindrical hub extensions 11., on the end heads thereof, and the box as having bearing perforations 12 in the ends or heads 13 thereof, receiving said hubs.

A slot or opening is provided in one side of the box for the passage of the record strip. illustrated, the entire top of the box is left open for this purpose, as indicated at 14:, while in the second form, shown in Figs. fl and 5, only a relatively narrow slot15 1s provided in the side of the box. 0rd passage may be closed when the roll is not in use by a cover such as indicated at 16 in Figs. 1 and 2, the same being shown hinged to the box body along its rear edge This rec- In the first form of the invention at 17 and as having a. flanged rim 18 toenv supporting spindle 19, and the other exposed end of the spool hub with the other supporting spindle 20 of the player, the hubs being socketed, as indicated, to take the ends of such spindles, one of these spindles, the left hand one usually, being simply an idler spindle which yields longitudinally to permit engagement of the other end of the spool with the other spindle and the latter being usually a rotating spindle having a clutching engagement with the end of the spool. The end of the record is then car ried down over the tracker bar 21 and connected with the feed roller 22. The spool rotates freely within the box while the box remains relatively stationary, it having in effect, a floating bearing on said spool. The box is relatively light and the friction on the spool is practically negligible so no greater effort is required in feeding the record. The unwinding movement is relatively slow so there i? but slight tendency of the box to follow the rotation of the spool but any tendency in this direction is checked, if no other means are provided, by the upper edge of the record passage coming into contact with the relatively taut stretch of record passing to the tracker bar.

Where a cover on the order of that shown in Figs. 1 and 2, is provided, said cover serves as a means forsteadying the box and for holding it against rotation. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, this cover will normally drop down and rest on top of the tracker bar, so that during the unwinding action it serves as a weight balancing the box and holding it in about the position indicated in Fig. 2 and so that on the rewinding, when the rotation of the spool is faster and there is therefore a greater tendency for the box to rotate, it will actas a stop engaging the tracker bar or the under side of the record to positively hold the box against rotation in a rearward direction.

The box may be yieldingly held against rotation as by means of a spring finger 23, engaging with the box below the center of the same, so as to take some of the weight of the box off the spool, in addition to holding the box against turning. This spring holding device is preferably disposed at a point beyond the plane of the spool head, as indicated in Fig. 1, so as not to stand in the way when playing ordinary records. A convenient and practical way of providing this spring holding device is to mount it upon or form it an integral part of a U-shaped' spring clip 24 engaged over the tracker bar at a point beyond the plane of the edge of the record sheet, the spring finger being laterally offset, if need be, to engage with the box,as indicated in Fig. 1.

Turning of the box may also be prevented by providing a relatively fixed stop 25 to engage with a shoulder on the box, said shoulder being here provided by a perforation 26 formed In the end of the box, and said stop being here shown as mounted on the yielding supporting spindle so that the box may readily be engaged therewith in the act of engaging the spool end with the spindle. These locking perforations may be located the same distance from the center even though the boxes be of different sizes and similarly the spring holding device adapts itself to boxes of different sizes, yielding more or less in accordance with the size of the box.

The record is usually wound suiiieiently tight within the box by the simple act of re winding, but it may be wound as tight as desired by simply holding the end of the record and operating the clutch spindle in a rewinding direction, or by turning the spool, after the roll is removed from the player, the hub of the spool being extended, if'desired, and formed with a finger-hold as indicated at 2 7 in Fig. 1, to facilitate this action.

The roll is made self-tightening in the illustration, and at the same time over-winding is prevented by providing a stop for limiting such rerolling movement of the spool in the box, the loop 28' on the tab end of the record being thickened as indicated in Fig. 3 to serve in the capacity of a stop engaging between the completely wound roll and the adjacent wall of the box. The stop may be of wedge shape as shown so as to seat in the depression 29, ordinarily pro vided for the book 30 on the feed roll 22 and may be formed from a piece of sheet metal stamped with a perforation 31 to receive the hook and with turnedup edges 32 of appropriate wedge shape.

In the type of box shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the record strip slot 15 may be widened or opened out in its central part, as indicated at to provide a finger opening, enabling the end of the record strip to be readily grasped and drawn out of the box.

If desired, the ends of the spool may be covered when the roll is put away, as by providing, in the first form shown, flaps or extensions 34 on the ends of the cover, which as the cover is closed, will project down over the ends of the spool. or as in the second form, by providing hinged flaps 35, which will fold ox ei' the spool ends,.these flaps serving also in this latter construction to hold the box against rotation when the same is engaged in the player mechanism Fig. 4).

It will be apparent that the box needs be but slightly larger than the spool so that the package as a whole may be made in very compact form, this resulting in a saving'of storage space and an appreciable saving in the amount of material required for the construction of the box. 7 7

Another advantage which will be readily appreciated is that because of the fact that it is unnecessary to remove the roll from the box, the record is saved a great deal of handling, and is kept housed and properly protected at all times.

The box is usually made of cardboard having a degree of resiliency such that the ends of the box may be sprung apart to permit engagement of the spool hubs in the bearings provided therein. The boxes and rolls may thus each be completed and these parts be then assembled by simply entering theroll into the open side of the box, and

forcing it somewhat until the journal hubs on the ends of the spool snap into the bearings provided in the ends of the box.

I claim:

1. In combination, a perforated 'sheet music roll including a spool and a record strip Wound thereon, a box incasing said roll having ends freely journaled on the spool so as to permit of said spool rotating freely and unrestrictedly Within the'box, said box having an opening in one sine thereof for the passage of the record strip and a cover for said opening hinged tothe body of the box and adapted when opened to serve as a stop for holding the box against rotation as the roll rotates Within the box.

2. In combination With piano player mechanism embodying a tracker board and roll supporting spindle above the same,a music roll having ends adapted to be engaged and supported by said spindles, and a box incasing said roll having ends provided with bearings for the roll and in which bearings said roll is freely revoluble, said box having an opening in one side thereof for the passage of the record strip and a cover for said opening hinged to the'body of the box and bearing. upon the tracker board to form a'stop holding the box against rotation while the roll rotates freely there- Within.

3. The combination with a music roll spool having annular'end flanges and substantially cylindrical hub extensions projecting endwise beyond said flanges and socketed to fit the supporting spindles of an automatic player and a perforated record sheet confined on said spool between the end flanges, of a box of relatively light material incasing said spool having end portions covering the end flanges of the spool and hav ing openings therein receiving the cylindrical hub extensions of the end flanges, whereby the spool can rotate Within the box and the box Will be lightly supported upon the spool when said spool is engaged with the supporting spindles of a player, said box having a longitudinal opening therein for the passage of the record strip.

4:. A box for perforated sheet music rolls having an opening in one side thereof for the passage of the record strip, a record strip spool journaled in said box with its ends exposed for engagement with an automatic player instrument, and box supporting means for taking the Weight of the-box off the spool When the device is in position in an automatic player. a 7

5. A box for perforated sheet music rolls having an opening in one side thereof for the passage of'the record strip, a record strip spool journaled in said box with its ends exposed for engagement with an auto-' matic player instrument, and spring means for yieldingly supporting the box When the device is in place in an automatic player.

6. In combination with a box for incles ing a perforated'sheet musicroll provided With openings inthe ends thereof, a roll in said box including a spoolhaving the ends thereof exposed by the openings in the ends of the box for engagement with the roll feeding mechanism of anautomatic player and box supporting means for taking the weight of the box off the spool when the device is in position in an automatic player.

7. A box for perforated sheet music rolls having an opening in one side thereof for the passage of the record strip of 'a perforated music roll, a music roll journaled in said box, and a loop on the tab end of the record strip enlarged to form a stop for engagement between the wound roll and the side of the box to thereby prevent over-Winding of the roll.

8. In combination with a box for inclosing a perforated sheet music roll provided with openings inthe ends thereof, a roll in said box including a spool having the ends thereof exposed by the openings in the ends.

of the box for engagement With the roll feeding mechanism of an automatic player, a clip engageable over the tracker bar of an automatic player, and a stop carried by said clip for engagement 'Wlilll thebox.

9. In combination, a box for a perforated sheet .music roll having an opening in one side thereof for the passage of the record strip and a music roll spool journaled in said box and having a hub portion projecting' beyond the end of the box providing a hand-hold for turning the spool Within the box. 7

10. In combination With a box for inclosing a perforated sheet music roll, provided with openings in the ends thereof, a roll in said box including a spool having the ends thereof exposed by the openings in the ends of the box for engagement With theroll feeding mechanism of an automatic player, and spring means for yieldingly supporting the box When the device is in position in an automatic player. I V

11. In combination, a perforated sheet music roll comprising a spool and a record strip Wound thereon, a box incasing the same having openings in its opposite ends exposing the ends of the spool to permit engage ment of the same with the strip feeding mechanism of an automatic player, and a movable cover carried by the box for covering the end of the spool.

12. In combination with a perforated music roll comprising a spool and a record strip wound thereon, a box incasing said roll having openings in the ends thereof exposing the opposite ends of the roll, and a U-shaped spring clip engageable over the tracker bar of an automatic player, and provided with an upstanding spring finger for engagement with the box.

13. As an article of manufacture, a music roll box holding device comprising a U- shaped spring clip engageable over the tracker bar of an automatic player and provided with an upstanding spring holding finger.

14. In combination, a box for perforated sheet music rolls having an opening in one side thereof for the passage of the record strip, a music roll rotatably positioned in said box, and an abutment on the tab end of the record strip of the roll for engagement between the Wound roll and the side of the box to prevent over-winding of the roll within the box.

15. The combination of a music roll spool having annular end flanges and cylindrical hub extensions projecting longitudinally be yond the same, a record sheet wound on said spool between the end flanges, and a box incasing the spool having ends of relatively resilient material, said box ends having bearings therein for the cylindrical hub extensions of the end flanges, and said box having an opening in one side thereof through which the spool may be inserted whereby said spool may be entered into the open side of the box andforced therein until the hub extensions snap into place in the bearings provided in the resilient box ends.

16. The combination of a music roll spool having annular end flanges and cylindrical sions of the end flanges, said box having an opening in one side thereof through which the spool may be inserted whereby said spool may be entered into the open side of the box and forced therein until the hub extensions snap into place in the bearings provided in the resilient box ends and a cover hinged to the body of the box and arranged to close said opening in the side of the box.

17 In combination, a perforated sheet music roll comprising a spool and a record strip wound thereon, a box incasing the spool having openings in its opposite ends exposing the ends of the spool to permit engagement of the same with the record feeding mechanism of an automatic player, and means for taking the weight of the box off the spool when said box and spool are in position in an automatic player.

18. The combination with a music roll spool having annular end flanges and sub stantially cylindrical hub extensions projecting endwise beyond said flanges and socketed to fit the supporting spindles of an automatic-player and a perforated record sheet confined on said spool between the end flanges, of a box of relatively light material incasing said spool having end portions covering the end flanges of the spool and provided with openings therein freely receiving the cylindrical hub extensions of the end flanges whereby said spool will rotate freely within the box and the box will be lightly supported upon the spool when said spool is engaged with the supporting spindles of a player, means for holding the box against rotation while the spool is rotating therein, and said box having a longitudinal opening for the passage of the record strip.

PHILIP S. MoLEAN'.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cent: each, by addressing the Commissioner of latenta. Washington, D. 0. 

